English National Ballet will create a new version of the classic 19th century ballet Raymonda to be given a world première in Manchester.
Marking her first foray into choreography and direction, Tamara Rojo adapts the three-act production, revisiting a rarely performed work.
Bringing the story into the setting of the Crimean war and drawing inspiration from women supporting the war effort, including Florence Nightingale in this her bicentennial year, Raymonda is recast as a young woman with a calling to become a nurse—a heroine in command of her own destiny.
It brings together costume and set design by Antony McDonald, lighting design by Mark Henderson, dramaturgy by Lucinda Coxon, character dances by Vadim Sirotin and choreology research and advice on the Sergeyev notation by Doug Fullington. Alexander Glazunov’s original score, with music arrangement by Gavin Sutherland, will be performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic in a co-production between English National Ballet and Finnish National Ballet.
A world première will take place at Manchester’s Palace Theatre (October 15–17).